Welcome to Mayland Community College!

Dr. Suzanne Owens President

Mayland Community College is in the business of creating success - success for students, success for businesses, and success for our communities. In the late 70's, Wanda Proffitt of Yancey County completed a class and a licensure exam in Real Estate at Mayland. Today she is Vice-President of the National Association of Realtors, a Commissioner on the Advantage West Board and the long-time owner of Carolina Mountain Realty. In the Yancey Common Times Journal in January, Mrs. Proffitt was recognized for "revolutionizing the local real estate industry and the local economy." Proffitt was recognized in November, 2008 h for numerous contributions to her community and state at an awards ceremony hosted by Mayland's Board of Trustees.

In 1990, Debra Crain, who had dropped out of school, earned her GED at Mayland, then because of her father's illness, she entered the MCC Nursing program with passion and determination. Today she is a Nurse Practitioner at Cancer Care in Asheville. She was honored on November, 2008 for her achievements. Debra represents more than 48 Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses and Medical Assistants who graduate every year from MCC and find good paying jobs with promotional opportunities within the area. Ninety percent of these professionals will stay in our communities, which helps to address the growing need of keeping trained health professional in our rural counties.

In 2006-2008, Caleb Howell completed two certificates in welding from Mayland during his junior and senior years at Mitchell High School. These were exploratory courses for him and he fell in love with the trade. Today, he is enrolled as a full-time MCC student and graduated in December, 2008 with a Diploma in Welding. Last January, he enlisted with the Army and has been accepted for the Airborne Rangers School. Caleb's choices illustrate the opportunities that high school students have available to them. Students in Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey counties have numerous choices in dual enrollment classes while still in high school, such as completing an Associate's Degree or taking courses in order to transfer to a university, or completing certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant, or seeking vocational/technical certifications in carpentry, welding or other areas. These programs and others are offered tuition free while students are still in high school. Hundreds of students utilize these opportunities each year in order to beat the increasing cost of higher education and to get a head start on a career.

Graduating from high school increases a student's life-long average income to $30,000. Getting any type of higher educational certification less than a degree increases a student's life-long average income to $36,800. An Associate's Degree increases the average income to $38,200 and a Bachelor's degree increases to $52,200. Education creates success! Education inspires us to success! Education teaches the skills for success.

Community colleges seek to Create Success for adults of all ages, at all levels of preparation and within numerous program areas! We see success stories every day! We love what we do!

Dr. Suzanne Owens
President, Mayland Community College